Everton have signed Iceland international goalkeeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir on a three-year deal until the end of June 2024.
The 18-year-old joins from Swedish club KIF Örebro where she will remain on loan for the rest of this year before joining the Blues in January 2022.
Despite turning 18 only last month, Rúnarsdóttir has been capped three times by Iceland after making her debut in March 2020 when she started in a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland, becoming her nation’s youngest goalkeeper.
“It’s amazing to sign for Everton,” Rúnarsdóttir told evertontv. “Everton is a big club and you can see with the players they are signing that they are building big.
“I’m just so thankful I’m going to be a part of it.
“Obviously, I’m very young but I have a lot of experience playing senior football which helps.
“I feel like I’ve gained a lot of maturity in the game.
“They have the squad and the environment to do that.”
Rúnarsdóttir came through the academy at Icelandic club UMF Afturelding, breaking into the senior side at the age of 15 and helping them win the third division title before moving to Fylkir for the following two seasons.
In March this year, the teenager moved to Swedish outfit KIF Örebro.
“We first identified Cecilia 18 months ago as a long-term target and have kept tabs with her development ever since,” revealed Everton manager Willie Kirk.
“We felt now was the right time to make a long-term commitment to her and I’m delighted it’s been agreed.
“Cecilia has huge potential and I’m excited about playing our part in that.
“First of all, though, we are putting our trust in KIF Örebro.
“We are pleased she will be continuing her football there and we think it’s a good club for her to keep developing and take the next step as she prepares herself for WSL football.
“Our goalkeeping coach, Ian McCaldon has already spoken with Cecilia a number of times and will also help develop her from afar.”
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